Kickback probe could net 10 guilty pleas

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A federal judge has been asked to schedule guilty plea hearings for all 10 defendants charged in an alleged Logan County mining complex kickback scheme.

The group was named in federal charges last month after a long investigation focused on the Mountain Laurel mining complex owned by Arch Coal.

Federal prosecutors said over a five-year period four former workers at Mountain Laurel guaranteed work for certain vendors in exchange for payment. The charges allege nearly $2 million exchanged hands.

Federal informations usually indicate a defendant is cooperating with prosecutors.

A judge has yet to schedule the guilty plea hearings. Federal prosecutors filed the motions earlier this week.

MetroNews Staff

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Comments

cutty77

Someone tell when these people have these press conferences,why does 10 15 people have to be standing there with there arms folded. Are they trying to scare someone. What a Bunch of BS,and waste of Tax Payer money.

June 12, 2014 at 11:51 am |

Mason County Contrarian

The canaries are singing their sweet music.

You can bet the farm on the fact that these guilty pleas are entered in exchange for reduced sentences AND information that will lead the Feds to a bigger, more public, Friend of Coal (Owner).

Stay tuned, my friends.

June 12, 2014 at 6:42 am |

Fred

What's the problem? This is how our legislature conducts business every year.